Everything but everything is PERFECT here: Prince voice, lyrics, fretless acoustic bass guitar, NPG orchestra, Mayte idea for that amazing video...this must be the strongest love song ever written, bearing in mind the fact how Prince&Mayte really shared the passion in the time this song was made...just, Prince is the One who can express with music in the most essential way what he is feeling and what he is living for...probably thats a part that made him the biggest ARTIST of all time.Btw, this song&video along with "Te Amo Corazon" song&video are probably my favorite love songs written by one man.<3

Also, this era is one of the most emotional periods in Prince career.You can read like a book what one women (in this case Mayte) & true love can do to a man...Emancipation disc 2 is something really transcendental...One kiss at the time, Saviour, Soul Sanctuary, Let's Have A Baby, Dreamin' About U...come on!

Holy Mayte!

[Edited 11/9/15 0:24am]

You sort of forgot to mention the song itself...

Anyway, I'd prefer an instrumental version of The One.

I think the lyrics (yes, and the singing) are rather silly, sorry.

Especially the part where he says he doesn't confuse money with wealth....

Well, I adore - Adore , but this send shivers down my spine stonger...i get goosebumps just listening that bass...or i just easily fall in love with this kind of a fairytale-romance ballads <3

stpaisios said:

What a stupid thread.

Ahh...how comes you didn't learn somewhere, that those kind of comments are rude

stpaisios said:

Ahh...how comes you didn't learn somewhere, that those kind of comments are rude

Don't worry about people like that ok, if they have nothing better to say why do they say anything.

Guitarhero said:

stpaisios said:

Ahh...how comes you didn't learn somewhere, that those kind of comments are rude

Don't worry about people like that ok, if they have nothing better to say why do they say anything.

I always think of Dr. Fink's line from "Purple Rain".

Not a bad song, I just never really cared for this all that much

Pentacle said:

You sort of forgot to mention the song itself...

Anyway, I'd prefer an instrumental version of The One.

I think the lyrics (yes, and the singing) are rather silly, sorry.

Especially the part where he says he doesn't confuse money with wealth....

Thanks for the assist because I swear I was sitting here having the darnedest time trying to figure out exactly which song the OP is talking about and I read it several times.

It's one of his weakest compositions. Nothing happens but sampled whispers
and a wannabe Jaco Pastorius lazy bass line.

The video would have been terrific if it had been B&W Charlot all along.
Instead, we have boring dancers doing boring moves around a guy
who is persuaded to be a saint.

It's Prince in love with himself, and this time big time.
"I Am The One". No, really.
Ooh, I bet he got a hard-on behind the mike when he recorded it.

The OP needs musicology lessons.
And Prince an ego removal.

Genesia said:

stpaisios said:

Everything but everything is PERFECT here: Prince voice, lyrics, fretless acoustic bass guitar, NPG orchestra, Mayte idea for that amazing video...this must be the strongest love song ever written, bearing in mind the fact how Prince&Mayte really shared the passion in the time this song was made...just, Prince is the One who can express with music in the most essential way what he is feeling and what he is living for...probably thats a part that made him the biggest ARTIST of all time.Btw, this song&video along with "Te Amo Corazon" song&video are probably my favorite love songs written by one man.<3

Also, this era is one of the most emotional periods in Prince career.You can read like a book what one women (in this case Mayte) & true love can do to a man...Emancipation disc 2 is something really transcendental...One kiss at the time, Saviour, Soul Sanctuary, Let's Have A Baby, Dreamin' About U...come on!

Holy Mayte!

[Edited 11/9/15 0:24am]

That's a bold claim but I certainly agree with everything else you wrote.

Not, i like the music but the Oscar goes to: Adore.

214 said:

Not, i like the music but the Oscar goes to: Adore.

No kidding.

"The One" can be listened to in a passive mode. It's a bit musical tapestry to me.
Yes, it is an original way for a declaration, to list the men that he's not.
But sorry, I keep on hearing "me, me, me".

"Adore" grabs you : it's hard to listen to while cleaning the dishes.
And I keep hearing "you, you, you".

bonatoc said:

It's one of his weakest compositions. Nothing happens but sampled whispers
and a wannabe Jaco Pastorius lazy bass line.

The video would have been terrific if it had been B&W Charlot all along.
Instead, we have boring dancers doing boring moves around a guy
who is persuaded to be a saint.

It's Prince in love with himself, and this time big time.
"I Am The One". No, really.
Ooh, I bet he got a hard-on behind the mike when he recorded it.

The OP needs musicology lessons.
And Prince an ego removal.

Ok, it's seems all interpreation here lead to that Prince Ego presence.No, really.

Story behind the video and song is based on "the Beginning" (a part Mayte read in a book), mythical story back to Garden of Eden, where 2 souls are put in creation to be together...focusing on monogamous way of living, sharing your body and mind with that One.

That perspective for me is really strong, romantic and from man (Prince) side very masculine...so when Prince sing "I am the One" it's not about him, it's an essential man way of thinking about women, it's universal think.Womens are much more emotionally sensitive, heart thinking...you'll never hear women singing to man > "But if you're lookin' for a women /That'll sweep you off your tired weary feet / Pay your bills, buy you pretty dresses (suits for a man here) / Buy you half the town"....etc.

[Edited 11/11/15 10:22am]

stpaisios said:

Ahh...how comes you didn't learn somewhere, that those kind of comments are rude

I respect your enthusiasm but reading things such as "XXX is the best love song ever" makes some people (me included) roll without even reading the post. I'd rather have people avoid such definitive statements like that, it's not serious.

The so-called "plastic years" are probably my fave in P's career though, so I agree with u totally about a lot of very beautiful love songs having been recorded at that time

It's an ok song. However the sensual seduction is gone. It's Prince bragging about how much money he has and telling a woman he cheated on he's her "one".

Here's how I have found various reactions to this song over the years:

DUDES: I do or do not like this song based on its musical merits or whatever.

DUDETTES: It makes me want to drop my panties as fast as I can!

CONCLUSION: The song is a success!

bonatoc said:

214 said:

Not, i like the music but the Oscar goes to: Adore.

No kidding.

"The One" can be listened to in a passive mode. It's a bit musical tapestry to me.
Yes, it is an original way for a declaration, to list the men that he's not.
But sorry, I keep on hearing "me, me, me".

"Adore" grabs you : it's hard to listen to while cleaning the dishes.
And I keep hearing "you, you, you".

So the conclusion is that you go for:

i always preferred Kim Cat-ah-Wahl, but then Kim Kardashian is the same but without any 80s Ninja influence, then there was Kim Wilde - are we listing Kims now?

Kim a) Unbelievably never got their tits out on camera

Kim b) Equally starred on camera and never got their tits out

Kim ba) Starred as a cartoon lion with a promise of tits moving southerly, becoming cyclonic later

that's a sly joke about Human Geography there. I am sure when North West grows up he will apply the necessary root cleanser to the rhodedendrons

databank said:

stpaisios said:

Ahh...how comes you didn't learn somewhere, that those kind of comments are rude

I respect your enthusiasm but reading things such as "XXX is the best love song ever" makes some people (me included) roll without even reading the post. I'd rather have people avoid such definitive statements like that, it's not serious.

The so-called "plastic years" are probably my fave in P's career though, so I agree with u totally about a lot of very beautiful love songs having been recorded at that time

I still don't know what song s/he is even talking about! (And I'm not the only one.) That - and only that - is why I said the thread is stupid.

Genesia said:

databank said:

I respect your enthusiasm but reading things such as "XXX is the best love song ever" makes some people (me included) roll without even reading the post. I'd rather have people avoid such definitive statements like that, it's not serious.

The so-called "plastic years" are probably my fave in P's career though, so I agree with u totally about a lot of very beautiful love songs having been recorded at that time

I still don't know what song s/he is even talking about! (And I'm not the only one.) That - and only that - is why I said the thread is stupid.

stpaisios said:

bonatoc said:

It's one of his weakest compositions. Nothing happens but sampled whispers
and a wannabe Jaco Pastorius lazy bass line.

The video would have been terrific if it had been B&W Charlot all along.
Instead, we have boring dancers doing boring moves around a guy
who is persuaded to be a saint.

It's Prince in love with himself, and this time big time.
"I Am The One". No, really.
Ooh, I bet he got a hard-on behind the mike when he recorded it.

The OP needs musicology lessons.
And Prince an ego removal.

Ok, it's seems all interpreation here lead to that Prince Ego presence.No, really.

Story behind the video and song is based on "the Beginning" (a part Mayte read in a book), mythical story back to Garden of Eden, where 2 souls are put in creation to be together...focusing on monogamous way of living, sharing your body and mind with that One.

That perspective for me is really strong, romantic and from man (Prince) side very masculine...so when Prince sing "I am the One" it's not about him, it's an essential man way of thinking about women, it's universal think.Womens are much more emotionally sensitive, heart thinking...you'll never hear women singing to man > "But if you're lookin' for a women /That'll sweep you off your tired weary feet / Pay your bills, buy you pretty dresses (suits for a man here) / Buy you half the town"....etc.

[Edited 11/11/15 10:22am]

Ooh, so much for gender equality.
If you're mentally stuck behind the dishes and in the fifties, I guess it makes sense.

Well, picturing themselves to be the first humans ever created
isn't exactly my definition of humbleness.

I Just read the lyrics again, to make sure.
All I'm getting is that Prince/Adam is a pimp, and Mayte/Eve his lazy bitch.

In my book, the only reason you would pay someone's bills, dresses and food,
is to get in their underwear. Which surely stay fresh due to all this absence of work.

My definition of romanticism it is not.

bonatoc said:

stpaisios said:

Ok, it's seems all interpreation here lead to that Prince Ego presence.No, really.

Story behind the video and song is based on "the Beginning" (a part Mayte read in a book), mythical story back to Garden of Eden, where 2 souls are put in creation to be together...focusing on monogamous way of living, sharing your body and mind with that One.

That perspective for me is really strong, romantic and from man (Prince) side very masculine...so when Prince sing "I am the One" it's not about him, it's an essential man way of thinking about women, it's universal think.Womens are much more emotionally sensitive, heart thinking...you'll never hear women singing to man > "But if you're lookin' for a women /That'll sweep you off your tired weary feet / Pay your bills, buy you pretty dresses (suits for a man here) / Buy you half the town"....etc.

[Edited 11/11/15 10:22am]

Ooh, so much for gender equality.
If you're mentally stuck behind the dishes and in the fifties, I guess it makes sense.

Well, picturing themselves to be the first humans ever created
isn't exactly my definition of humbleness.

I Just read the lyrics again, to make sure.
All I'm getting is that Prince/Adam is a pimp, and Mayte/Eve his lazy bitch.

In my book, the only reason you would pay someone's bills, dresses and food,
is to get in their underwear. Which surely stay fresh due to all this absence of work.

My definition of romanticism it is not.

Aahaha that's great, and you are so nasty my son.

Having said that, ain't nothin' like a fresh pair of baggies.

But seriously, I think Skipper became, at some point,
unidimensional in his views about relationships and monogamy.

What is great about the Golden Years is that constant hesitation
between hedonism and commitment.
That hesitation is a real fuel.

- Let's Pretend We're Married
It's astounding, this title. It really is. On one side, it negates commitment entirely.
Let's have sex, it's as easy as when we were kids and used to play Mom and Dad. or doctor.
But if "pretend" means "try to act as if", then it suggests some kind of marriage rehearsal,
which suggests the real, eventual goal to reach is commitment.
It could have been "Let's Pretend We're Together", or "We're Lovers", but no.
To sum up the hesitation : will it be just a "couple of hours", or "seven years", Marsha?

- The Beautiful Ones
There you have it, your romanticism. "If we got married..." but Skipper's still confused.
He grew victim of a failed marriage, that became his idea (and later, his terror) of monogamy.
His paranoid senses are on full alert: he's going to lose her,
you always do, it's just a matter of time.
So let's not waste any more of it with sappy choruses.
Do you hear me, woman? Heck, I'm going to shout it to you.
"Do you, Prince, take Susannah to be your — YES I-I-I DO! WHOO!". The end.

- Temptation
May seem unidimensional about hedonism.
But at some point we fall into a whole different dimension,
and all of a sudden sax goes nuts, it's castration time, performed by God himself.
No, really. In Skipper's universe, sinners get their balls removed without anesthetics.
Just listen to him squeal.
"Love is more important than sex". Wow, Skipper's growing, ain't he cute?

- Anotherloverholenyohead
Listen, this is as committed as Skipper can get.
This is "Temptation" 's redeeming.
Just compare the lyrics...
"The One" is K.O. right from the first verse.
"I gave my love, I gave my life, I gave my body and mind", how's that for monogamy?
Only "Adore" would go further, making it explicit by giving also "my time".
And don't start me on "Sure as there's a sun, I'm gonna be the 1".

And then I got people tellin' me I'm not allowed to bitch about Lazy Skipper
quoting himself whenever he's running out of inspiration.

I think I made my point, I've got errands.

stpaisios said:

fretless acoustic bass guitar,

wondering if u know if prince has used this in a lot of his songs. sorry i should research it myself but thought u might know more about his use of fretless guitars. thanks

bonatoc said:

Ooh, so much for gender equality.
If you're mentally stuck behind the dishes and in the fifties, I guess it makes sense.

Well, picturing themselves to be the first humans ever created
isn't exactly my definition of humbleness.

I Just read the lyrics again, to make sure.
All I'm getting is that Prince/Adam is a pimp, and Mayte/Eve his lazy bitch.

In my book, the only reason you would pay someone's bills, dresses and food,
is to get in their underwear. Which surely stay fresh due to all this absence of work.

My definition of romanticism it is not.

You are probably not familiar with all that poetry and love songs men dedicated to women through history of mankind?Yeah, women are usually some archetypes of life that bloossoms, so you really need to keep am like a roses...and about that dresses and food...yep, those are some essential things that can help lovers to have a good and better time underwear >D ...food especially.

But, whatever...Prince is in era where his introspection goes furhter, so he sings:

"I never wanted a typical life
Scripted role, huh a trophy wife
All I ever wanted, to be left alone"

So, we'll let him alone...in his dreams he roams..

[Edited 11/12/15 2:50am]

[Edited 11/12/15 2:51am]

[Edited 11/12/15 3:05am]